Short answers, pulled from the story.
Ecclesiastical courts held jurisdiction over religious matters, family law, equitable relief, probate, and cases involving priests, religious communities, or public heretics. These courts operated across many areas of Europe with much wider powers than they would possess after the development of nation states.
The Court of Probate Act 1857 transferred the jurisdiction of the Ecclesiastical Courts regarding personal estates of deceased persons to a new secular body. This act marked a significant shift where secular courts took over functions previously managed by church authorities.
Modern Catholic Church tribunals are governed by the 1983 Code of Canon Law for the Western Church and the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches for Eastern Catholic Churches like Byzantine, Ukrainian, Maronite, and Melkite traditions. Cases normally originate in the tribunal of the particular church known as the tribunal of first instance which is the diocese or eparchy of the parties involved.
The Judicial Council stands as the highest court in the United Methodist Church consisting of nine members elected by the General Conference for eight-year terms. The ratio of laity to clergy alternates every four years within this council structure.
Nation states transferred judicial powers from church courts to secular legal systems between the 19th and 20th centuries as ecclesiastical jurisdictions narrowed significantly. Modern Catholic tribunals operate under revised codes from 1983 and 1990 following general revisions in the late 20th century.